TTFN TIFF
Yikes. I can’t believe that it’s been over a month since my last blog entry. Chalk it up to a summer that’s kept me away from my laptop on a fairly regular basis, most recently with attending the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF); which ran from September 4-13.
Normally, I’m a “gala only†kind of gay but this year I decided to forego that in favor of an opportunity to see more films. And as a result of the decision to instead purchase a daytime pass, I was able to catch 24 films in 8 days. Averaging 3 movies per day—and a couple of parties; one with guests like Anne Hathaway, Scott Speedman and Ron Livingston–it’s no wonder I didn’t have a lot of time for blogging.
So what was worth seeing? Here are some of my favorites at TIFF:
RocknRolla – Guy Ritchie’s (yes, Madge’s yummy hubby) latest multi-layered offering is being hailed as a return to form (after 2005’s not-so-well received Revolver with yummy Jason Statham) and deservingly so. From the opening credits, this is a fun and clever ride that is worth repeat viewings. The strong cast includes sexy Gerard Butler, Tom Wilkinson, Thandie Newton, Ludacris, and Jeremy Piven. At the screening I attended, Ritchie was on hand to introduce the film, looking ever so delicious in jeans and nice fitting sweater. Oh, and that lovely accent….mmm…
Slumdog Millionaire – Danny Boyle (Trainspotting, 28 Days Later) directed this wonderful film about the life of a boy in India who survives a tough childhood in the slums only to face an even more unexpected challenge as a young man when he’s on the verge of winning big on his country’s version of Who Wants to Be a Millionare? This film has everything: humor, drama, a heart—not to mention a strong Bollywood inspired soundtrack. Slumdog Millionaire won the People’s Choice Award at TIFF this year, and if released theatrically by the end of 2008, I wouldn’t be surprised if some serious Oscar buzz was generated.
The Burning Plain – This was actually my favorite film at TIFF, a powerful drama featuring Charlize Theron and Kim Basinger (among others), directed and written by Guillermo Arriaga, the man also responsible for writing 21 Grams and Babel. I was mesmerized by Theron’s performance as a woman filled with self-loathing, and Basinger was just as good. I’d consider both for Academy Awards.
As far as gay-themed films went, I only saw a couple but one was a real charmer. Patrik, Age 1.5 is a Swedish film helmed by a woman director and deals with what happens when a gay (and completely hot) male couple thinks that the child they are to adopt is a 1 and a half year old boy. It turns out that the child is actually 15 years old, a bit of a delinquent and also quite homophobic. I’m hopeful that this film gets distributed in North America as it’s definitely worth seeing.
I could go on and on about other films at TIFF but now with the Film Festival over, my thoughts and efforts are returning to uncovering the hottest and sexiest gents on-line and bringing them to you.
Coming soon: My latest on-line stud crush.
Cheerio,
S.R.
